Say Something (A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera)

Another smash Xtina featured song, when you count somebody out from the game, here she is as a featured artist having simultaneous Billboard hits.

This song is so powerfully sad and Aguilera's no-growl voice complemented the main artist's vocals - the output?  A suicidal ballad!

And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye  

Ouch!

*tears*

  

Do What U Want - Remix (Lady Gaga feat. Christina Aguilera)

I never thought this two divas will have a duet due to their past controversies but anything can happen in show business.

The original mix has R.Kelly on it but because of "The Voice" marketing, Aguilera agreed to perform this song with Lady Gaga live and it was BOOM!

Although while it's good - I still prefer B and Gaga's "Telephone".

10 of my personal Diva duet favorites are (not in any particular order):

1. When You Believe (Carey & Houston)
2. Chain Of Fools (Carey & Franklin)
3. Tell Him (Dion & Streisand)
4. No More Tears (Streisand & Summer)
5. Telephone (Beyonce & Lady Gaga)
6. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves (Lennox & Franklin)
7. Beautiful Liar (Beyonce & Shakira)
8. The Boy Is Mine (Monica & Brandy)
9. For My People (Elliot & Eve) - not really a diva moment but was a sure hit for me
10. Rich Girl (Stefani & Eve) - same as 9

Can't Remember To Forget You (Shakira feat. RIhanna)

Too bad that this song can easily be forgotten - thanks to the previous smashed duet of Beyonce and Shakira, Beautiful Liar.

Missed opportunity...

The Luckiest (Ben Folds Five)

Another good cut from About Time OST - Ben Folds Five's The Luckiest.  The OST of that film is just W-O-W!

I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

Just perfect!  Count this in my wedding album :)

How Long Will I Love You? (Ellie Goulding)

Head over heels with Ellie Goulding's cover of The Waterboys' How Long Will I Love You.  A cut from the OST of About Time.

This song will be included in my wedding song playlist (wishful thinking!).

Indulge...

Dark Horse (Katy Perry feat. Juicy J)

After spending 3 weeks at the top, Timber fell and was replaced by Katy Perry's Dark Horse.  Thanks to her recent Grammy performance.

I am not a big Katy Perry fan (full stop).

I've heard the song and quite a departure from her signature bubbly-pop songs.  I don't see myself including this in my playlist.  Personally think that the "Teenage Dream" album was her finest.

I will give it a week or two to top in Hot 100 - then off you fall!

Wicked OST and Sequel

Darn it!  They have added additional Wicked shows so it has been extended until March xx of this year.

The spectacular - spectacular expectation will no longer be that spectacular but the excitement continues -

Ta-da!

Yes!  Sing-a-long starts now.  I have not fallen in love yet on the OST and it will take time, maybe after I have seen the show where you can be nostalgic of the dialogues and musical scenes.

And have you noticed the other material at the back of the OST - yep the Wizard of Oz (1939) film which can be considered as the sequel to Wicked.  Will need to (re) watch it with full concentration.  In my childhood days, I have seen it in PTV4 but it was all blurry although I know the story.

This is a must for being part of "Friends of Dorothy".

Random Thoughts 042014

One month down - Eleven to go!

I have to admit, it's been a pretty tough professional ride this month.  I hope February will be a good one, a month to pick up the pieces.  It is a good start also if you believe in Feng Shui since it's Lunar New Year (Gong Xi Fa Cai!).

And yes, it was the same routine and same attitude towards fitness.

Believe me it's hard!

181! 

I wonder if my theory's true that people have "focused envy" (sorry I don't know what's the exact word).  Like me for example, I don't get jealous if someone has new car or new house but if I see people traveling to places whether business or for relaxation, that's the time where I become green-eyed monster.

I don't know why... well nobody's perfect.

X-Men Days Of Future Past (Empire Magazine)

Empire Magazine teamed up with Director Bryan Singer to feature X-Men DOFP characters and has a variant cover of each.  Fascinating!

Grabbed from Empire Magazine Website

I love it.

Although I cannot understand the hate with Singer - I personally think he did a fantastic job handling the franchise.  He understands and knows the characters well enough to have a great superhero film.

Also take a peek inside X-Men Days of Future Past

Once Upon A Dream (Lana Del Ray)

Goosebumps!  

Lana del Ray is now my queen of OSTs, first is The Great Gatsby and now this, doing a cover of Once Upon A Dream for the Disney movie Maleficent.

Del Ray FTW!

Soulful and spooky at the same time - which is exactly what this film is all about.

56th GRAMMY Awards (Winners)

...and the Grammy goes to

Record of the Year - Get Lucky (Daft Punk feat. Pharell)

Song of the Year - Royals (Lorde)

Album of the Year - Random Access Memories (Daft Punk) 

Best New Artist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  
Complete list of winners is here.

2014 Director's Guild Awards

As expected, the award went to Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity, and there off to his Oscar too.

Thanks For Sharing (2012)

Mike: Feelings are like kids, you don't want to let them ride in the car with you and you can't stuff them in the trunk. 

Grabbed from Wikipedia

I applaud this film for putting the subject out there - sex addiction.  Humans are animals that are domesticated but without proper guidance and control, we can be like a raging bull, OOC (out-of-control).

I think we all have our addiction how mild they are.  I have mine and luckily they are still under control.  Personally, root cause of addiction is anxiety - we look for an outlet which is perfectly fine but then again, it needs to find a perfect balance.

P!nk was great and natural in this film, for a beginner herself.

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Jordan Belfort: Let me tell you something. There's no nobility in poverty. I've been a poor man, and I've been a rich man. And I choose rich every fucking time. 

Grabbed from IMDb

Controversial, unapologetic, and offensive.  These are some of the recipes for a Best Picture.  This 3-hour Martin Scorsese movie was critically-acclaimed.

It deserved all the nominations and accolades received and despite the controversies, the movie has a heart.  

Based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort which provides a peek at Wall Street's greediness and soulless.

Movie proves that no crime is left unpunished.

I must say that this is Leo's best role yet but still Matthew's gonna win in the lead actor race.  I think he needs to take more risque roles that will push him to bring out his acting abilities (emotional and physical) to the fullest potential.  The method of acting and roles are becoming monotonous and same (Departed, Aviator, etc).  

He needs to leave his Di Caprio image just like Hoffman, McConaughey, Daniel Lewis, etc.

Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Harry Mitchell: Most people live life on the path we set for them, too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like you come along who knock down all the obstacles we put in your way. People who realize freewill is a gift that you'll never know how to use until you fight for it. I think that's the chairman's real plan. That maybe one day, we won't write the plan, you will. 

Grabbed from IMDb

No idea what this is all about except that by judging the poster it's an action packed CIA type of movie.  Yes? No!

It's about fighting for things or person you love.  A grand plan set for us, how we use freewill to defy the rules and make our own path.

Fast paced and intriguing.

Her (2013)

Theodore: Sometimes I think I have felt everything I'm ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I'm not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I've already felt. 

Hailed by critics as one of the best pictures of 2013 and nominated for Oscar Best Picture.  

A unique story of romance between a man and an Operating System set in the near future. Brilliant idea from Spike Jonze who wrote the story which has a big possibility to become reality, we already have Siri right now, who knows 10 years from now we may have a same Samantha.

With its first-of-a-kind plot, it did not work for me.  I got bored with the conversation and seeing Joaquin's close-up face made me nauseous (just kidding).

Again, I am not a wannabe critic - I share what I personally felt.

Maybe the connection was not there.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)

Benjamin Button: [Voice over; letter to his daughter] For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. 

I have done a "REB-yu" of this film way back when Multiply.com was still alive but I don't mind doing again.

One of the Best Pictures of 2008 and usually what I called Forrest Gump ver2.0 but longer.

This is a kind of movie that you'll appreciate more the second time around.  Never though will watch it again because of the running time.

While it's a little gimmicky, it was wonderfully told and produced.  Having Brad, Cate and Taraji did not hurt as well and made the film shine.

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Sutter Keely: It's fine to live in the now. But the best thing about now is that there's another one tomorrow. I'm going to start making them count.

Grabbed from Wikipedia

The Spectacular Now got critics' praise and fell in love with the film.  I was not impressed.  It's the same coming-of-age story only rewritten and retold - nothing spectacular.  

It's nothing like "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" nor "A Walk To Remember" (although I am not sure if you'll agree with me that the latter was a great cheesy flick).

However, there's a great argument this film tackled, the struggle to find balance between being in the moment and looking after on your future.

Random Thoughts 032014

I love Saturday mornings - kakaiba ang feeling.  There's a mix of tranquility and excitement - naks!

Oh well the 3rd week of the year had just passed by. Phewwwww---iiiiiiinnnng----splat!

It's the same old routine for a boring and aging person like me.  But hey! That's me and I am loving it.  Old routine as it was, this week has been hardly rough for A at work and my guess tells me that it will be for the coming weeks or even months, unless he does something about it. 

He has options which is really good because some people don't, cruel fact of life.

There's a planned biz travel happening probably by Feb to Chennai, India.  Yay - exciting! Not!  

I love to go to India but in New Delhi or Agra where I can visit the magnificent Taj Mahal.  

Let's see...

No workout, bad boy!

Weight - 181



 

Pitch Perfect (2012)

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
The one with the prettiest of views
It's got mountains, it's got rivers
It's got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

Pure fun!  I thought initially that it's a second rate Glee flick but it's not.

2014 Producers Guild Awards (Winners)

For the past 6 consecutive years, whoever wins in this round will take home the best picture.  Then, BOOM!!! We have a tie - ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie, first ever in history!!!

PGA honored 12 Years A Slave and Gravity for Best Pictures.

Clearly, we still don't know who will win at the OSCARS.  My bet is still with 12 Years but it will be a crazy ride to the finale.

For complete winners, click here. 

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Walter Mitty: To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life. 

Sounds inspiring?  The quote, yes.  The film, no.

I had high expectations on this film but it was a missed opportunity.  The plot is nothing new in the cinematic world - LIFE, following your dreams or discovering yourself, creators would have made it more engaging and passionate.

I did not know that this was a remake of a 1947 same titled film until I read Wikipedia.   One thing that I need to note is (copied from Wikipedia)

Twentieth Century Fox hired filmmaker Casey Neistat to make a promotional video based on the theme of “live your dreams” but Neistat suggested instead to spend the budget on bringing disaster relief to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Fox agreed and gave him a budget of $25,000.

Ben Stiller starred and directed the film.

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Jasmine: Anxiety, nightmares and a nervous breakdown, there’s only so many traumas a person can withstand until they take to the streets and start screaming.

It will be a major grandslam for dear Cate Blanchett, she's on track in collecting her 2nd Oscar award for this film.  

I am not riding on a bandwagon here but I say, she's so great here in this film playing a neurotic socialite who crumbled down and found herself at the bottom of the sea.

This would have not been possible without the little assistance from Woody Allen.

The film itself is not a Best Picture material but I will consider it as a very fine and well crafted film.

Sally Hawkins who played Ginger her sister was nominated also for Best Supporting Actress, good that it was recognized but her performance is not enough to push Jennifer and Lupita aside.

20th Screen Actors Guild Awards (Winners)

With the result of this year's SAG Awards, we can say that Jared (Dallas Buyers Club), Lupita (12 Years A Slave), Matthew (Dallas Buyers Club), and Cate (Blue Jasmine) cemented their status as the frontrunners and 90% probability to receive the Oscar trophies for their respective categories.  

However, while I can still feel that 12 Years A Slave will take home the Best Picture award - the Ensemble Award goes to American Hustle which is an indication that it is undoubted a neck-to-neck competition between this two.  

PGA (Producers Guild Awards) will take place tomorrow, whoever wins in that round will take the grand prize.

Lifetime achievement award was given to EGOT winner, Rita Moreno.

Here are the winners (Film and Television)

Motion Picture

Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture - American Hustle

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role - Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role - Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role - Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club 

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role - Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years A Slave

Outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a motion picture - Lone Survivor

Television 

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or miniseries - Michael Douglas, Behind The Candelabra

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries - Jelen Mirren, Phil Spector

Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series - Breaking Bad

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series - Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series - Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series - Modern Family

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series - Ty Burrell, Modern Family 

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series - Julia Louis - Dreyfus, Veep 

Outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a comedy or drama series - Game Of Thrones

August: Osage County (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Jean Fordham: [to Barbara] Mom, you're such a liar. No, stop, you are.
Violet Weston: You know if I ever call my mom a liar she would knock my goddamn head off my shoulders.

Ahhhh family...

Having Meryl and Julia in same film is movie orgasm.  I think it's like Steel Magnolias in terms of casting (although have not watched that film).

Based on the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play of Tracy Letts.  Story of a vicious matriarch and her dysfunctional family that have shamelessly smack Pinoy telenovelas with its twists and surprises.

Top caliber performances from the ensemble especially Streep and Roberts -  who were nominated for acting in the Academy Awards for this film.

The dinner scene was very intense and I loved how the conversations were delivered effortlessly.

Nothing extraordinary on the plot so I have to agree that it should not be nominated for Oscar Best Picture (was surprised though that it did not make the cut for the Adapted Screenplay) despite having the Weinstein brothers and Clooney backing up on it.  

Sorry - it didn't work this time.

Looking

It's like what?  9 years I have been waiting and wanting to have a TV show that has a same format as that of Queer As Folk (US).

I am not a TV addict.  Music and Movies - Yes but not Tivo.  My interest in TV series started when I worked in Cayman and out of boredom, you will be pushed without any choice to be immersed in watching US series.

All good!

Here are some of the series we were hooked on (not in any particular order)

• Queer As Folk
• Six Feet Under
• Sex And The City
• Desperate Housewives
• Ugly Betty
• Will & Grace
• True Blood
• Brothers & Sisters
• Modern Family 
• Nip/Tuck

Notice the trend? Of course as long as it has a dash of gayness, BAM!  We are in! 

Now, I am so excited with the premiere of HBO's Looking, Jonathan Groff leads the pack and tells a story of group of gay friends living in San Francisco and trying search for real love.

Since this is HBO, there will be nudity and lots of "gay" sex which make the series be more interesting and exciting.

Looking at the clips, it looks good but then again, you have Ugly Betty, New Normal and Happy Endings which are ok but were axed.  

I really hope it plays well, critically and commercially.   

Random Thoughts: 022014

Naughty naughty Ryan!!!  Second complete week of 2014 and instead of losing a pound, I gained another.

Weight = 181

Who to blame but me and the yummy delicacies... ahhhhh food why are you so sinful and yet comforting??? Why???!!!

It's the same uninteresting week, oh how I wish it's Christmas season again.  However, cannot complain - although I wish A would have a peace of mind (work-related).  

A lot of Pinoys are shining in different competitions, really good for them and the country.  

Of course it's the Awards season, I was quite busy with Golden Globes and Oscars.  We did some DVD marathon of movies competing for the fabulous statues.

We bought Wicked tix! Yay! 

What else???  Well I promise to workout next week and be on track with my goal.

Kissy kissy! Mwah! (Baklang bakla amp!)
 

My Fearless OSCAR Prediction

My fearless forecast...

Best Picture:

"American Hustle"

"Captain Phillips"

"Dallas Buyers Club"

"Gravity"

"Her"

"Nebraska"

"Philomena"

"12 Years a Slave"

"The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Triple threat battle - Gravity vs American Hustle vs 12 Years A Slave.  12 Years will get the best 2013 film and Brad Pitt will have his 1st Oscar statue as a producer.

Best Supporting Actor: 

Barkhad Abdi, "Captain Phillips"

Bradley Cooper, "American Hustle"

Jonah Hill, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Michael Fassbender, "12 Years a Slave"

Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" 

No brainer - Jared Leto all the way!!!

Best Supporting Actress:

Sally Hawkins, "Blue Jasmine"

Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle"

Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave"

Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County"

June Squibb, "Nebraska" 

Afraid and don't want to accept this, but Jennifer may walk with her 2nd OSCAR (back-to-back wins, pulling a Tom Hank stunt).

Best Director:

David O. Russell, "American Hustle"

Alfonso Cuaron, "Gravity"

Alexander Payne, "Nebraska"

Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"

Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Really depends with the DGA (Director's Guild Awards) but this will be awarded to Cuaron.

Best Actor:

Christian Bale, "American Hustle"

Bruce Dern, "Nebraska"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"

Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyer's Club" 

Academy loves gay portrayals (e.g. Milk, Capote, etc.) and also giving recognition to veteran actors (e.g. Jessica Tandy, Alan Arkin so it will be a tough round between Matthew McConaughey  and Bruce Dern.

Best Actress:

Amy Adams, "American Hustle"

Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"

Sandra Bullock, "Gravity"

Judi Dench, "Philomena"

Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County" 

I really wanted Amy to win her first golden man but Cate will walk with her 2nd trophy and this time for a leading role.

Theme of this year's ceremony is commemoration of Heroes.

86th OSCAR Awards (Nominees)

Grabbed from OSCAR website

I cannot deny the fact that 2013 has produced a lot of great films and 2 of these great films (while I don't enjoy the other one but still great) are "American Hustle" and "Gravity" lead the OSCAR race both with 10 nominations and followed by "12 Years A Slave" with 9 nods.

Here are the nominees:

Best Picture:

"American Hustle"

"Captain Phillips"

"Dallas Buyers Club"

"Gravity"

"Her"

"Nebraska"

"Philomena"

"12 Years a Slave"

"The Wolf of Wall Street" 

I don't get it, why 9 films? No surprises here.

Best Supporting Actor: 

Barkhad Abdi, "Captain Phillips"

Bradley Cooper, "American Hustle"

Jonah Hill, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Michael Fassbender, "12 Years a Slave"

Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" 

Jonah Hill was a surprise.

Best Supporting Actress:

Sally Hawkins, "Blue Jasmine"

Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle"

Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave"

Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County"

June Squibb, "Nebraska" 

No surprises but please not Jennifer Lawrence.

Best Director:

David O. Russell, "American Hustle"

Alfonso Cuaron, "Gravity"

Alexander Payne, "Nebraska"

Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"

Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Paul Greengrass was bumped out of the magic 5 by Marty.

Best Actor:

Christian Bale, "American Hustle"

Bruce Dern, "Nebraska"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"

Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyer's Club" 

Notice Tom Hanks and Robert Redford absent in the list.  It will be Bruce versus Matthew for the Best Actor.

Best Actress:

Amy Adams, "American Hustle"

Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"

Sandra Bullock, "Gravity"

Judi Dench, "Philomena"

Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County" 

Where is Emma Thompson?  Well, replaced by Meryl Streep.

Of course Angelina Jolie will be honored with a Jean Hersholt award - highest recognition!

Complete list of nominees can be found here.

A Wicked Preparation

It's time to defy gravity!

At last, I was able to convince A to watch Wicked here in Manila.

Am so excited and need to buy the album and start memorizing the songs.

I did not watch this Tony Award winning musical in Broadway but I hope Manila's overall performance and production is par to say the least.

We are scheduled to watch the last performance so we expect it to be more spectacular.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Ron Woodroof: "I only got one life. I want it to mean something."

Maybe one of the best films 2013 but it was not enough to take the best picture except maybe in the Independent Spirit Awards.

After seeing this movie, Matthew and Jared deserved to win the acting prize, their physical transformations proved that they are very serious in getting the prestigious golden man.

A very dark film but truthful in showing the true face of HIV/AIDS and what the victim must go through in the early years of the epidemic.

Inspired by true events, it tells us the unlikely alliance which eventually turned into a friendship of two AIDS victim, a homophobic and transgender woman.

As what Matthew has stated in his Golden Globe win, Dallas Buyer is not about dying but living.

71st Golden Globe Awards (Winners)

And the Globe goes to...

MOVIES

Best Motion Picture, Drama: 12 Years A Slave

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyer's Club

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: American Hustle

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf Of Wall Street

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Amy Adams, American Hustle

Best Director, Motion Picture: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
 
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyer's Club

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture: Spike Jonze, Her 

Best Animated Feature Film: Frozen 

Best Foreign Language Film: The Great Beauty 

Best Original Score, Motion Picture: Alex Ebert, All is Lost


Best Original Song, Motion Picture: Ordinary Love, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
 
TELEVISION

Best TV Series, Drama: Breaking Bad

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama: Robin Wright, House of Cards

Best Actor, TV Series Drama: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Best TV Series, Comedy: Brooklyn 99

Best Actress, TV Series, Comedy or Musical: Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation

Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical: Andy Samberg, Brooklyn 99
 
Best TV Mini-Series or Movie: Behind the Candelabra 

Best Actress, TV Movie or Miniseries: Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake

Best Actor, TV Miniseries or Movie: Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra 

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries, Motion Picture Made for Television: Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Miniseries, Motion Picture Made for Television: Jon Voight, Ray Donovan 

12 Years A Slave (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Solomon Northup: I don't want to survive. I want to live.

No doubt the Best Picture of the Year!!!

Based on a true story of Solomon Northup who's a free African American man, was kidnapped and sold to slavery.

Intense, heartbreaking, and unbearable.

My prediction tells me that it will sweep all the awards (major and minor).

I really wanted Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto to win but Chiwitel Ejiofor will  be the clear victor.  Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o have the edge to bagged the supporting awards.

Best Director is still hard to predict, a toss up between McQueen and Cuaron.  

The Schindler's List of this decade.

About Time (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Tim Lake: The truth is, I now don't travel back at all, not even for a day. I just try to live everyday as if I have deliberately come back to this one day, to enjoy it... As if it was the full, final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life. 

From the creator of British known romantic comedy flicks (Love Actually, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings & A Funeral) comes a story about LIFE and LOVE with a pinch of time travel.

A tearjerker film, especially for those (like me) that has/had a complicated relation with their father.  I may never get tired watching this over and over again.

The film stars Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson and Bill Nighy.

Love the OST especially Ben Folds Five's "The Luckiest" and Ellie Goulding's "How Long Will I Love You?"

American Hustle (2013)

Grabbed from Wikipedia

Irving Rosenfeld:    Did you ever have to find a way to survive and you knew your choices were bad, *but* you had to survive?

Ladies and gentlemen, the road to Oscars begin.  First in line, American Hustle - ensemble film with cast of previous Oscar winners and nominees. Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner with special participation of Robert de Niro.

It was directed by David Russell (Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter).

With a total of 30+ nominations under its belt (Oscars not yet announced as at time of writing), set in late 70's, this is a story of crime and con but told in a different way, hence the Comedy picture nom at the Globes.

Definitely would count this in for Oscar Best Picture.

Worth of all the Best Picture nominations but the thing with David Russell is he can be misogynist on his films like how Lawrence and Adams were screened.  Just my observation though.

I love love love the OST/background songs played in the film.  It draws you more to the film.

Amy Adams was so strong and believable in her character, I can sense an Oscar nomination (Featured/Supporting) and if it happens, please give her the golden statue.  Long overdue!

I think Christian Bale should be nominated, he was nominated at the BAFTAs so it's possible that he can break in the magic 5.

Jennifer Lawrence is just being Lawrence when it comes to acting, natural talent.  Nominated in SAG and Globes for her role, but I think there are others who will be much deserving of the award.

Sharp!  American Hustle at its core shows our own pretensions and make believe in order to survive.

56th GRAMMY Awards (Nominees)

Grabbed from GRAMMY website

Music's BIGGEST night on January 26.

I have to admit that its popularity in me declined for the past few years (part of which realizing that Mimi was not a fave of this award giving body).

Anyway on with the show, the nominees are mostly chart topping hits (see Billboard).  The show is known to give weirdest collaborations (e.g. Eminem and Elton John).

Jay-Z leading the way with 9 nominations but shutted down in all major categories.   Macklemore and Lewis will represent the LGBTs in this show with Same Love nominated as Song of the Year.

IMO, Wrecking Ball should have been nominated in Female Pop Vocal, hell even Song of the Year.

Record of the Year:

• Get Lucky (Daft Punk feat. Pharell)
• Radioactive (Imagine Dragons)
• Royals (Lorde)
• Locked Out Of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
• Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke feat. Pharell)

Song of the Year:

• Just Give Me A Reason (P!nk feat Nate Ruess)
• Locked Out Of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
• Roar (Katy Perry)
• Royals (Lorde)
• Same Love(Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)

Album of the Year:

• The Blessed Unrest (Sarah Bareilles)
• Random Access Memories (Daft Punk)
• Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City (Kendrick Lamar)
• The Heist (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)
• Red (Taylor Swift)

Best New Artist

• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Kendrick Lamar
• James Blake
• Ed Sheeran
• Kacey Musgraves 

 Complete list of nominees is here.